While all the Masters and apprentices were preparing to fight Iahssa, three people were preparing for something different. In one of the laboratories on the 6th underground floor of the Garden of Beasts, Old Daran guided the sisters Katya and Karyne to be his guinea pigs. Karyne constantly looked at everything inside the laboratory with fear, asking Katya if they would be okay. The older sister nodded several times, comforting her while listening to the details from Old Daran:
"We will start the experiment in 1 hour, the procedure should not take long, and we will have finished everything before midnight. Soon after I collect some data, you will be able to go home. And best of all, you will have gained affinity with a new element, with luck, even your talents will change forever."
The sisters felt more comforted after his words, and he continued: "Now let's start by making some preparations. First, you need to take these medicines here and then this one, before entering that pool…"
***
Rafael was wearing a set of luxurious clothes underneath an elegant red cloak with golden lines that formed several embroidered runes. Laura, who was at his side, was not wearing anything magical, wearing only a beautiful, long, low-cut white dress. The auction was taking place in a Great Tower belonging to the shadow men, a place considered neutral. In the more than 15 editions of this auction, there were never any reports of accidents at such an event, without the need for weapons and armor. It was also a way to stimulate the social side of the Masters, who had long since lost part of their humanity after living so long.
After the auction, there would be a dinner and a ball where everyone could trade some items that had not found a buyer, and make deals within the neutrality that the shadow men provided. Everyone's safety was guaranteed this time by Master Odin and the Master of Whispers. But Rafael, still on high guard after the attacks he suffered, chose to go with his magic cloak and some protections underneath his clothes, not trusting the two Shadow Kings. Another reason for these precautions was that he had lost his clone and had no time to create a new one.
After getting off a luxurious carriage, Rafael and Laura entered the tower without their masks and went to the room designated for them in the hall created on the first underground floor of the tower. When he got there, Rafael was in for a surprise: not only were there two beautiful women sitting inside, but also a thin man with a sinister appearance. Rafael ignored the two beautiful women and focused on the man who began to smile at him. He wore luxurious silk clothes and a kind of turban on his head. When Rafael approached with a hostile look, he stood up from the sofa where he was with his hands up in surrender:
"Calm down, I was the one who asked to be in the same room as you, I would like to take advantage of the opportunity to resolve our grudge if possible."
"Master Ezio, there is nothing to resolve on my side, you tried to kill me and now you are suffering the consequences of such acts, end of the matter," Rafael replied with a smile.
Laura looked at the man with a flirtatious smile, she had also used her skills on him. Including a very complex curse, capable of increasing the "bad luck" of the target. Even without Rafael saying his name, she had already recognized Ezio as well. At that moment, the two beauties also approached the group, saying good night and then reprimanding Master Ezio:
"Master Ezio, it is better that you do not spoil the mood of this evening with your nonsense. I recommend that you leave your personal matters for after the auction." Said one of the women who sported golden eyes and long golden hair.
"Yes, your presence here has already made the atmosphere very bad. I must ask you to leave this room and participate in the auction somewhere else." Added the second woman, who was older and also had long hair, but the color of it and her eyes were red.
Rafael saw Ezio shrug and leave the room, saying that he would meet him again after the auction. He then finally looked at the two beauties carefully. Apart from the color of their eyes and long hair, few things differentiated them. They were both around 1.70m tall, with pale white skin and beautiful curves everywhere. The only distinct difference would be their personalities. The redhead was more serious and mature in her behavior, while the blonde was more jovial and cheerful. They introduced themselves as Marta, the older one, and Silvia, the younger one. After the initial introductions, Rafael and Laura began to talk to the two while waiting for the auction to begin.
"Weren't you with Master Venus? Where is she?" Rafael asked.
"She didn't want to participate in the auction, there are always many Masters courting her, so she asked us to sell some of her things and try to buy 1 or 2 rare ingredients that she needs." Silvia, the blonde, replied.
"Are you new to Asshai too? I've never seen you before today…" Laura asked, and this time it was Marta who answered:
"We don't live in Asshai, we just came this time to meet a relative of ours, and sell and buy some items at the auction."
'Could it be Venus?' Rafael thought before offering help:
"What items? Maybe I can help you, my store sells a lot of things, and I have a lot of contacts."
"Some rare alchemical materials and other important reagents for rituals, but I can only buy them after selling our items. This time, I made my dear sister part with one of her precious Valyrian Steel swords." The redhead said as she looked at her younger sister's frustrated face.
"Speaking of Valyrian Steel, I couldn't help but see your sword during your fight against those brothers… Please let me take a closer look at it?"
The blonde hugged one of Rafael's arms as she asked to look at his sword. Laura smiled at the scene, and Marta just sighed, going back to drinking her drink that a waiter had brought along with some snacks. As soon as Rafael took out his short sword, Silvia began to tell him several details that he didn't know, such as the possible year it was created, who its creator was, the method used, etc. It seemed that she was a nerd about Valyrian items.
Rafael sat down listening to all the details, while she also took out some daggers, swords, and spears from her collection and showed them to him and Laura. Rafael also told a little about how he got the short sword, but without going into too much detail. He took the opportunity to say that his friend also had one; all he remembered was its name, Sea Cutter. But that was enough for the woman to start spouting off several pieces of information about Omar's long sword... Time passed quickly, and Rafael and Laura enjoyed the social experience a lot. Ever since he arrived in this world, he had been obsessed with magic, and He even ignored many social events of the Order of the Sages. But today, after everything he had been through recently, he just relaxed, perhaps this tranquility comes from the power he had acquired, and now he was no longer so vulnerable in this dangerous world.
When there were 20 minutes left before the auction began, Odin, accompanied by some servants, went from room to room to collect the most important items, which were still with their owners or just to confirm that they were already inside the tower. After waiting a few more minutes, the window of our room opened, revealing a balcony with 5 seats. We sat down, and a light turned on down there, illuminating a beautiful Asshai'i woman who began to present the auction...
****
Special thanks to the Patreons:
Sage's Supporter: Jan, Vinnie, frimorigo, Leery Falcon, Parsa, Scott Robertson, and Pato Senalima!
Magical Apprentice: Axel Bour, Gabriele Sulpizio, Takatchi, mandeep singh, Austin, Kobe Robertson, and Paul Gaslac!
Senior Magic Apprentice: Cole Bromley!